So if you missed the IfA conference in glasgow there was a session 'Research Beyond Mitigation and Universities: Maximising the Impact of Community Involvement'. I recorded the talks and put them online if anyone is interested in the topics:

'Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.'
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edit- turns out I can't post more than one video at a time in BAJR. Oh well, I will post them one at a time. Sorry for all the posts in this thread

Abstract:

'Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.' - Bruce Mann

Community engagement in archaeology is something which is often talked about, though often in isolation from the rest of the professional sector. As our profession evolves so it is now time to think outside of the box and recognise how communities and citizen science can have a central role in the work we do. This paper tells the story of how the minor misunderstood site of Blackhills in Aberdeenshire, damaged by forestry operations and presented to the local authority archaeologist as a headache to resolve, became a huge success through partnership working which delivered not only a nationally significant new find, but also one within a research context. The role of the local authority in enabling this opportunity is examined, with partners ranging from the local landowner and community, to local archaeological groups, professionals, and esteemed academics, to even a group of inspired artists. This paper demonstrates that community not only has a positive contribution to make to research, but can be used as an invaluable tool that delivers real benefits to the profession as a whole, and one that we would be foolish to dismiss in the future.

Thousands of sites are at risk of destruction from coastal processes, yet with no developer to pay for recording, many sites are at real risk of being lost. SCAPE has worked with Historic Scotland and Local Authorities to prioritise action using data collected during years of coastal survey, whittling the list to 1,000 threatened sites of regional or national significance. This is still a large number, and to aid the making of difficult choices, SCAPE has launched the Scotland's Coastal Heritage at Risk Project (SCHARP). Volunteers are encouraged to report on site condition and to propose action using smartphone technology and an interactive website. Project funds are allocated to community groups to undertake a range of projects at sites that have high public value. The outcomes of SCHARP will underpin action plans for coastal heritage which will inform local and national policy. This paper will explain how this citizen science project works, evaluating lessons learned after 18 months of activity. Using case studies, including the community project at Wemyss Caves , where local action has resulted in a debate in the Scottish Parliament, we will consider the impact that engaging local stakeholders can have on moving archaeological issues up the political agenda.

Adopt-a-Monument is community-led stewardship project that local communities to take a lead role in conserving and promoting heritage sites that are important to them. The scheme supports groups with heritage skills such as project planning, fundraising, site survey, recording, interpretation and dissemination. We also provide assistance with awareness raising and learning activities so that groups can promote their site to wider audiences.
These Adopt-a-Monument projects have been successful at increasing the conservation, interpretation of important sites and also providing important skills training for local community groups.
However, with this new phase of the Adopt-a-Monument Scheme we have increasingly been working with those groups that do not normally engage with their heritage. To do this we facilitate heritage themed outreach projects specifically aimed at developing audiences amongst the particular under-represented groups and communities that want to learn more about archaeology. Through these projects we offer chances for active engagement and participation, and provide opportunities for disadvantaged groups to learn about their local heritage within a supportive learning environment. This paper will present our results so far - examine which methods have worked, and which haven't, and discuss how we are attempting to overcome these issues for future projects. We will attempt to draw from our experiences of working with diverse communities in Scotland to examine ways in which we can demonstrate that Scotland's heritage is everyone's heritage.

Lilly Hodges - Community archaeology -- The attitudes and approaches of commercial archaeologists

The paper I am proposing is based upon my completed Community Archaeology MA dissertation, 'A critical analysis of how the attitudes and approaches towards community
archaeology by those employed in commercial archaeology may impact upon its implementation in the sector.'
I propose to discuss the following points:

- The identification of four key aspects of the attitudes and approaches of commercial archaeologists as social, political, economic and professionalism -- and how these relate to one another;

- The affects/impacts of these upon the implementation of community archaeology;

- The findings of a pilot questionnaire to determine current attitudes and approaches towards community archaeology in the commercial sector;

- How these attitudes and approaches are set to be defining factors in determining the future of community archaeology in the commercial sector;

As a new area of research understanding how the attitudes and approaches towards community archaeology impact upon its implementation can assist us as professionals with understanding if we are on the right track when practising/implementing community archaeology projects This study has focused upon the commercial sector, however the research can be adapted and applied to other areas of archaeology.

David Strachan - Community archaeology and regional research: who's best placed to deliver?

A 'third sector' local charity with a remit covering historic buildings and archaeology, Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust has, over the last decade, delivered a series of community archaeology projects devised to explore regional research objectives not addressed through academia or development-led archaeology. Working with community groups, commercial organisations and government agencies, at a local, regional and national level, these projects have varied hugely in terms of funding and delivery models. Exploring topics as varied as monumental Iron Age roundhouses to early medieval turf-built longhouses, they have already added significantly to our understanding of the archaeology of the region. At a time of significant change in the configuration of the sector in Scotland, this talk will explore important themes for the next decade: who is 'the community'? who should decide what they do? and who should fund and facilitate it?

Obviously you have grouped the communities together in the expectation that our appreciation should be equally shared. Was there any controversy that the ifa held their algao conference in a Scotland with a prospect of independence.

You know, I didn't really talk with anyone about it. I can't remember if anyone mentioned that- though it was two months ago so my memory might be off by now. I don't think anyone really things it is going to happen so why be bothered when we have so many other things to worry about. My perspective on the issue, maybe others had a different experience?

Dr Hannah Fluck - Front line or back office? The role of Local Government Archaeologists in translating research into practice.

Local Government archaeological services occupy a unique position as a link between the community and commercial, the academic and the amateur. With the introduction of the NPPF in England Historic Environment Records now enjoy a clearer status within the Planning system than ever before. HERs, and the archaeologists that maintain and use them, are where information from professional and amateur investigations come together informing policy and strategy to actively conserve and promote the historic environment. Nevertheless there is often an underuse of the resource held within HERs and a lack of understanding as to the role played by County Archaeologists. As economic pressures lead to streamlined services it is more important than ever that these services are supported and utilised as the nodal points in the web of archaeological activity. This can ensure that new archaeological insights contribute to policy and practice that benefit local communities and broader research projects alike. Promoting a greater understanding between all parties, and particularly of the potential role that local government archaeologists can play in connecting the different arms of the
profession, will help the survival of not just the individual services but can also facilitate greater integration between sectors.

David Connolly - Square pegs in round holes Fitting public archaeology into research agendas

Archaeology has traditionally perceived itself as a discipline that uncomfortably straddles academic professionalism and amateur
research, with the constant argument that pervades the archaeological community where national research agendas and professional peer reviewed publication are ideals that can rarely -- if ever - be met by community and public archaeology project given their haphazard workflow, lesser standards of archaeological
recording and lack of direction within the overarching agendas
This paper hopes to first dispel the myth that commercial/academic research are somehow separated from the potential for project bias and random choice of site. The second part will then view the various contributions to research that is possible within public projects. In effect, a model of 'order from chaos' which should be examined as a valid methodology -- based on two recent cases in East Lothian. Finally the established model will be examined to suggest a project pattern that accepts it's shortcomings and builds on positive factors to create a realistic design to produce a viable project outcome that both fits into pre-existing flexible research agendas and involves the community not as peripheral assistants but active participants. The whole and the hole can be filled to everyone's satisfaction.

Dr Christopher Bowles - 'Into the Great Wide Open? The sustainability of community archaeology in the long run'

The recent explosion in community archaeology projects has been a boon for research in areas where academic and developer funding is limited. Because of this, universities, local authority services and units have all jumped on the bandwagon to work with and encourage community projects. But is this sustainable? Given the demographics, expertise and confidence of many community interest groups and in some cases the added burdens of competing demands for their time, can we expect the current situation to continue? While there will always be a community interest in archaeology and local heritage, can we as professionals develop strategies to maximise this potential for the long run?